2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX engine coolant

5-20
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.
CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.
3. If you have the 3800 V6 engine, remove the
3800 Series II V6 engine cover shield to access
the bleed valve.

5-21
A. Clean the area around the engine oil fill tube and cap
before removing. Twist the oil fill tube, with cap
attached, counterclockwise and remove it.
B. If you have the supercharged engine, remove the nut
in the center of the cover shield.
C. Lift the engine cover shield at the front, slide the
catch tab out of the engine bracket and remove the
cover shield.
D. Put the oil fill tube, with cap attached, in the valve
cover oil fill hole until you're ready to replace the
cover shield.4. After the engine cools, open the coolant air bleed
valve or valves.Thermostat Housing
(3100 V6)Thermostat Bypass
Tube (3100 V6)
3100 V6 engine: There are two bleed valves. One is
located on the thermostat housing. The other is
located on the thermostat bypass tube.

5-22
3800 V6 engine: There
is one bleed valve.
It is located on the
thermostat housing.
Thermostat Housing
(3800 V6)
5. Fill the radiator with the proper DEX-COOL

coolant mixture, up to the base of the filler neck. See
ªEngine Coolantº in the Index for more information
about the proper coolant mixture.
If you see a stream of coolant coming from an air
bleed valve, close the valve. Otherwise, close the
valves after the radiator is filled.

5-23
6. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine
and the compartment.
7. If you have the 3800 V6 engine, replace the
3800 Series II V6 engine cover shield.
A. Remove the oil fill tube, with cap attached, from
the valve cover.
B. Insert the catch tab on the cover shield under the
bracket on the engine.
C. Place the hole in the cover shield over the hole in
the valve cover. Install oil fill tube and cap by
twisting clockwise.
D. If you have the supercharged engine, install the
nut in the center of the cover shield.
8. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to COLD mark.
9. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but
leave the pressure cap off.

5-24
10. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fans.
11. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator
filler neck may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper DEX
-COOL
coolant mixture
through the filler neck until the level reaches the
base of the filler neck.
12. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure if coolant begins to flow out of the
filler neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure the
arrow on the pressure cap lines up like this.
13. Check the coolant in the recovery tank. The level in
the coolant recovery tank should be at the HOT
mark when the engine is hot or at the COLD mark
when the engine is cold.

6-
6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-6 Filling Your Tank
6
-8 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-13 Engine Oil
6
-20 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-21 Supercharger Oil
6
-22 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
6
-27 Engine Coolant
6
-31 Radiator Pressure Cap
6
-31 Power Steering Fluid
6
-33 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-35 Brakes
6
-39 Battery
6
-40 Bulb Replacement
6
-48 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-49 Tires6
-58 Appearance Care
6
-58 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-61 Care of Safety Belts
6
-62 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-64 Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated
Wheels (If Equipped)
6
-64 Cleaning Tires
6
-64 Sheet Metal Damage
6
-65 Finish Damage
6
-65 Underbody Maintenance
6
-65 Chemical Paint Spotting
6
-66 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-67 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-67 Service Parts Identification Label
6
-68 Electrical System
6
-74 Replacement Bulbs
6
-74 Capacities and Specifications
6
-75 Air Conditioning Refrigerant Capacity
6
-76 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

6-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
CAUTION:
Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the gasoline vapor. You can
be badly burned and your vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:

Dispense gasoline only into
approved containers.

Do not fill a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle's trunk, pickup bed or
on any surface other than the ground.

Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the
inside of the fill opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the filling is complete.

Don't smoke while pumping gasoline.
Checking Things Under the Hood
CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.

6-10 Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood of a vehicle with a 3100 V6 (Code J) engine, you'll see:
A. Windshield Washer Fluid
B. Battery
C. Underhood Fuse Block
D. Radiator Fill CapE. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap
H. Engine Oil DipstickI. Automatic Transaxle
Fluid Dipstick
J. Brake Fluid Reservoir
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter